automated waste collection systems (awcs)...refuse chute ss305 1.5mm thick min. air compressor 8-10...

Automated Waste

Collection Systems

(AWCS)

David Caleo

Industry & Technical Overview

Who We Are

LCI is the evolution of a firm

which began in 1969. Challenging

the standard approach to

Building Services engineering,

LCI offers traditional and

innovative consulting services

worldwide, as well as access to

cutting edge technological

thought, applications and

proprietary systems.

We employ and maintain staff

who understand the continually

varying circumstances that exist

when operating in a truly global

environment. Our staff are

dedicated to providing our

clients with the most

environmentally responsive,

sustainable designs.

LCI is both an AWCS designer and a minority stake owner of Stream Waste Australia: a full-

service Design and Construct AWCS Contractor offering operations and maintenance

service.

www.streamwaste.com.au

LCI’s Involvement in AWCS Projects

LCI has performed the following services on Australian AWCS projects / studies:

> Conceptual design sketches for early-stage analysis

> Tender designs, system scopes, tender documentation

> Capital and operating estimate development

> Civil designs

> AWCS connection designs (for multiple sub-development concepts)

> Full spatial BIM / Revit model designs

> Design co-ordination

LCI has been directly and indirectly commissioned to take

AWCS designs from concept to detailed designs

What is AWCS?> Conveys waste from a load point to a central collection and compaction point via

vacuum

> Load Point – Garbage Chutes, Outdoor Refuse Collection; Separate Waste Streams

– Recyclables and Non-Recyclables

> Storage Refuse – waste is sealed from load station and weighed

> 400mm diameter pipework network transfers waste at high speed to waste

collection station via vacuum typically 20 to 25m/s

> Vacuum system comprised of high-pressure fans and filters / odour control

> Waste is separated from the air stream via cyclone waste separator where the

waste drops into the Compactor and waste collection container

AWCS System

Component Overview

Throw Point

Air Intake Underground Pipe Network

Sealed Containers

Central Waste Handling Facility

Temporary Storage

Discharge Valve

Automated Waste Collection

Components

Hopper Doors & Self Emptying Bins Feeder Equipment

Central Waste Handling Station

Vacuum Fans Controls Waste Separator Waste Storage Container

Discharge Slide Valve

Connection to Vacuum System

Full

Vacuum

Outdoor Load

Station with

Valve to Vacuum

Large Feeder

Full Vacuum

BAU Vs AWCS

Truck Collection Method Vacuum System

Waste chutes & inlets Waste chutes & inlets

Carousel sorting equipment Underground pipe collection network

MGB’s for temporary collection Central waste collection building (can be below

ground or above ground)

Skip bins for collection Waste containers for hook lift truck

Extra basement height for truck access and

turntables

Bin lifter to ground level (if no truck access to

basement)

Bin collection areas in basement and ground

level

Bulky waste collection area Bulky waste collection area

Care taker: around 3 to 4 days per week Care taker: around 1 day per fortnight

Key Factors When Considering AWCS

System Performance

Environmental Impacts

Longevity and Reliability

SafetyEase of Maintenance

Project

Benefits of AWCS in

Australian Projects

> Controlled point of discharge

> Significant reduction in labour and total building waste operational costs

> Significant increase in safe waste movements (no injuries)

> Reduced security threats (bins no longer terrorist targets)

> Reduced waste logistics area (no bin rooms / bin loading equipment)

> Eliminated truck turning circles

> Less odour at throw points and bin collection area

> Reduced waster removal trucks (higher compaction rate)

> Reduced carbon footprint (less truck idle time. Only full bins picked up)

> Fully sealed system – quiet and pest free

> Supports recycling initiatives (residential and commercial)

> Possibility to combine with laundry systems (hotels)

Conventional: Door-Door/ House-House Collection

AWCS: Centralized Refuse Collection

Challenges of AWCS in

Australian Projects

> Perceived technology risks:

> Seen as new technology – which it is not – mature global market

> Fear of system failure:

> No knowledge of system simplicity / built-in redundancy of critical

elements

> Perceived as a capital-intensive solution:

> Capital cost can be greatly reduced with appropriate early stage design

> No consideration of full waste cycle operating cost savings:

> Significant reduction in labour associated with waste movements

> Minimised likelihood of waste movement injuries (insurance and workers

comp savings)

> No need for bins, bin rooms, bin lifters, carousels

> Greatly reduced waste area maintenance (no spills, limited wash-downs

/ cleaning)

> Less waste skip bin pickups (higher compaction rates following AWCS

natural maceration)

AWCS Applications

> CBD Precincts – Sunshine Coast Council

> Integrated Resorts – South East Queensland

> Large Mixed-Use Developments with

Multiple Towers on a common Basement

> Transportation Hubs

> Commercial offices

> Hospitals

> Shopping Centres

> Sports - Stadiums

> Significant interest from other major

projects and developments

ALDAR Head-quarters, Al RahaBeach, Abu Dhabi

Paragon Residencies, Malaysia

Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore

Damansara Uptown, Malaysia

UP @ Robertson Quay, SIngapore

QATAR Petroleum District, Qatar

Al Dana Island Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi

Suitable Waste Type

> Waste Bag sizes are limited to 600mm x 600mm when flat (empty), with a maximum

weight of 20kg per bag.

> Organic food type non-recyclable waste (< 300mm in any dimension) – essentially all

types of household kitchen waste, restaurant and other F&B waste (i.e. small bones,

rice, cut vegetables, food scraps, etc.) generated in a residential or commercial

building.

> Non-organic non-recyclable waste (< 300mm in any dimension) – shredded paper,

waste paper basket contents, toilet hand towels, packed food scraps and food

wrappings, detergent boxes, office supply packaging (small) and etc.

> Non-organic recyclable waste (<300mm in any dimension) – small tin cans, plastic

bottles, etc generated in a residential or commercial building.

Non Suitable Waste Type

> Non-organic recyclable waste (> 300mm in any dimension) – magazine stacks, old

furniture, rolled building plans, carton boxes, large item packaging, egg cartons, etc.

> Scheduled waste – oil, compressor oil, lubricants, grease, and other chemicals

including printing ink etc.

> Carton boxes folded or otherwise that are > 300mm in any direction.

> Glass as the primary source of waste. Comingled waste with glass from glass

crushers in the F&B areas can be managed.

> Adhesives and flammable items.

> Construction debris or any other items that is heavy and dense like bricks, concrete

lumps, motors, etc.

> Liquids (soups, gravies, water) that exceed 10% of the waste bag weight.

AWCS Suppliers

> Stream Waste Australia (OEM of Stream Environment)

> ENVAC

> Mari Matic

> Metro Taifun

> AVAC

LCI Project Example 1

AWCS Schematic Diagram


Loading Stations – Connecting to Gravity Chutes


Loading Stations – Full Vacuum Load Station


Central Waste Handling Facility (Retrofit)

LCI Project Example 1Component Specification

Component Specification Component Specification

Pipework Fittings Joints 400mm 6.35mm thickness

(min.) steel pipe - welded

Auto Waste Diverter SS

Underground Pipe PE coating and Cathodic

protection

Cyclone Separator Primed and Painted Mild

Steel

Bends Long Radius -9.5mm min. thick

Branch Angle < 30 degrees

Compactor Push Pull Ram – 3 times

compaction

Refuse Chute SS305 1.5mm thick min. Air Compressor 8-10 Bar

Discharge Valve Main Valve Plate 12mm SS Sealed Refuse Container 40kPa Pressure – 30m3

Steel Plate 4.5mm thick (min)

Refuse Storage Section SS 4.5mm thick Air Filtration Dust and Activated Carbon

Filters

Inspection Openings Every bend and 50m Centrifugal Fans High Static - nominally 2kPa

110 kWe

Air Inlet Valve Mild Steel with silencer Control System PLC Control; Monitoring and

Fault Alarm

Full Vacuum Load Stations SS 2mm thick / Key Operated Air Pipe SS304

Identified AWCS Technical & Design

Challenges

LCI, via it’s AWCS experience, is happy to share key issues / challenges it has

experienced:

1. Head height in the Central Waste Collection Facility (skip-bin room)

> Many Developments will have an initial head height of less than 7.5m proposed in the final

waste collection area

> Head heights less than 7.5m require re-orientation of the ideal AWCS set-up


Challenges

2. Limited clearance for truck to lift bins (bin servicing height)

> Many Developments will have a ceiling height of less than 5.5m proposed in the final waste collection area

> Where head height is reduced, this issue can be solved by modifying the truck lifting arm or operational

modification by the truck operator

> Ideally this will be solved via designing appropriate lifting height


Challenges

3. Connection to traditional waste chutes

in towers

> In residential / hotel towers, the

AWCS system usually only hooks into

the bottom side of traditional garbage

chutes (other than where a full-

vacuum system is required at levels

above)

> The AWCS connection is very simple

but the waste collection requires

space for waste Storage

> Air intake is required for make up air

to the vacuum system

> Fire separation required between

ground and basement areas

> Waste Refuse / Discharge Valve room

constructed to withstand 2000 Pa


Challenges

4. Coordination with other services

> 400mm diameter pipework

> Restriction with vertical lift - must be at a 30-degree angle

> Smooth radius bends in pipework preferred

> Mitred 90-degree bends are not good – 30-degree bend transitions

to coordinate around structure

Q&A

VisionTo realise the dreams of our clients through innovative engineering

Mission We collaborate with our clients to create positive outcomes

Core Values

automated waste collection systems (awcs)...refuse chute ss305 1.5mm thick min. air compressor 8-10...

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